Can I safely lay vinyl plank flooring over sealed or painted 9×9 tiles that may contain asbestos, and do I need to use a vapor barrier?
Asked by Carmela Robin 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 29, 2024
So, when we first moved in, we noticed that the 9×9 tiles were sealed or painted over. We suspect there might be asbestos in them. We’ve tried cleaning the tiles a couple of times, but it seems to be making the painted finish rough and leaving a residue. Plus, we also had some cat litter boxes in that area, which didn’t help matters. I’m thinking of just laying new flooring over the tiles instead of dealing with them. Do you think vinyl plank would work for this? And if so, do I need to put down a vapor barrier or anything between the 9×9 tiles and the vinyl plank?
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Absolutely, you have the option to place a floating floor on top. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cement floors.
Do you think there’s a shuffleboard design hidden beneath the paint?
I have no idea what those numbers under the paint mean. Haha
If you’re installing new flooring, make sure it’s necessary.
Just check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the underlayment needed. It varies by brand. And yes, some vinyl flooring needs a vapor barrier underlayment.